Studies show that people eat 44 percent more food when they have dinner with friends than when they eat alone.
Friends influence your ideas of what to eat, how much to exercise and what body size is appropriate. It’s time to take action and friend-proof your diet for good.
Arranging the meet
You don’t have to always meet for dinner or drinks. Research suggests having an obese friend increases your odds of becoming obese by 57 percent. Find healthy alternatives which become a common ground for both you and your friend to enjoy. You could decide to go to the beach, sign up for a yoga class or hire a DVD.
Ordering
A Harvard study shows women tend to mirror the eating habits of their same-sex friends. The next time you meet up for dinner you’ll notice your friend will order a drink and you’ll do the same. And then she’ll have dessert and you’ll do the same. And so it goes on and on. To stop this involuntary sabotage “be mindful of each bite” says nutritionist Misti Gueron. Make a conscious effort to put down your knife and fork when you’re chatting or listening.
Speak your mind
Deciding to share your feelings with your friend could strengthen your friendship. Here are a few tips to approach her with your diet concerns.
1. Pick up the phone. Talk to your friend in person, or over the phone. E-mails lead to miscommunication, which could exacerbate the situation.
2. Take someone with you. In front of an uninvolved third party whose judgment you trust, rehearse what you plan to say. Keep in mind that this conversation isn’t a license to gossip about your friend — it’s about talking openly and honestly to gain perspective so that you can sustain the friendship.
3. Focus on the positive. Remember why you chose this person as a friend. That will help you approach the problem from a less aggressive, more productive standpoint.
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